Senior Special Assistant on Publicity and Communications to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Mr.Lere Olayinka, has claimed that former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd.), was “scammed” in the purchase of the controversial controversial land behind the dispute involving the Nigerian Navy and the FCT Administration.
Olayinka made the remark during an appearance on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, on Wednesday, while addressing the ongoing faceoff between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the military authorities over alleged illegal occupation of government land in Abuja.
“The former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd.), was scammed. Instead of him to come out and seek help, he resolved to using military might,”
Background of Conflict
The dispute centers on a parcel of land in the Guzape District of Abuja, which the FCT Administration (FCTA) says was unlawfully taken over by the Nigerian Navy.
Minister Nyesom Wike had, in recent weeks, accused the military of encroaching on several government-acquired properties within the capital, vowing that his administration would reclaim all such lands.
The Nigerian Navy, however, maintains that the property in question was duly allocated and has been used for official purposes.
During the Sunrise Daily interview, Olayinka defended the FCTA’s position, insisting that the land in question legally belongs to the government and that the former naval chief may have been deceived into believing otherwise.
He suggested that rather than resorting to institutional influence, the ex-Naval Chief should have sought clarification or assistance through proper administrative channels.
“What happened is clear — someone sold what did not belong to them. But instead of investigating or seeking redress, he chose confrontation. The FCTA will not be intimidated,” Olayinka asserted.
The exchange between the FCT Minister’s aide and the military has attracted mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians supporting Wike’s insistence on due process, while others called for restraint and dialogue to prevent institutional friction.